Overview
Chiricahua Mountains is in Southeast Arizona.
3 sights · 3 things to do · 11 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Chiricahua Mountains
Chiricahua Peak
A 9,773-foot (2,979 m) peak. It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains.
Geronimo Surrender Monument
This simple monument commemorates Geronimo's final surrender to General Nelson Miles in 1886. The actual surrender site is several miles away off of Skeleton Canyon Rd, but is on private property and rarely open to the p…
Chiricahua Mountains
South of Chiricahua National Monument, managed by the Coronado National Forest Service. The area features excellent bird watching and wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as hiking, horseback riding, and camping. Much…
Camp Rucker
A former US Army post which was abandoned in 1890. A number of buildings are still standing, and access from the adjacent Chiricahua National Forest is permitted. The very popular Camp Rucker Campground is nearby (see li…
Southwest Research Station
The Chiricahua Mountains in particular are excellent for bird watching as well as wildlife viewing, with a number of very rare avian species sighted here. This facility is operated by the American Museum of Natural Histo…
Chiricahua National Monument
One of the National Park Service's more remote units, with a unique landscape of stone hoodoos.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Chiricahua National Monument)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SVC Grant County Airport, Silver City — 86 mi away. Directions
- TUS Tucson International Airport, Tucson — 98 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $10–$200 a night (typical $85), from 10 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$370.
Options are grouped as Lodging, Camping, Backcountry in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Chiricahua National Monument, Southwest Research Station
- Afternoon Chiricahua Peak
Day 2
- Morning Geronimo Surrender Monument, Camp Rucker
- Afternoon Chiricahua Mountains
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The range lies primarily within the Coronado National Forest. Chiricahua Peak, the highest point in the range, rises 9,759 feet (2,975 m) above sea level, about 6,000 feet (1,800 m) above the surrounding valleys. The mountains are named for the Chiricahua Apache, who historically lived in the region.
The earliest evidence of humans in the vicinity of the Chiricahua Mountains are Clovis archeological sites such as Double Adobe Site in the Whitewater Draw tributary of Rucker Creek north of Douglas. Subsequently, the Cochise culture another pre-ceramic based culture spanning 3000–200 BCE was defined from sites around the Chiricahua Mountains, including Cave Creek Canyon.
Following the transition to ceramics, artifacts characteristic of both Mogollon culture and its local variants, the Mimbres culture, are found. These relics span the period from 150 BCE – 1450. The influx of other indigenous peoples, such as the Chiricahua Apaches, including the leaders Cochise and Geronimo occupied the area until forced removal in the late 19th century.
See
See Chiricahua National Monument
One of the National Park Service's more remote units, with a unique landscape of stone hoodoos.
See Chiricahua Peak
A 9,773-foot (2,979 m) peak. It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains.
See Geronimo Surrender Monument
This simple monument commemorates Geronimo's final surrender to General Nelson Miles in 1886. The actual surrender site is several miles away off of Skeleton Canyon Rd, but is on private property and rarely open to the public. There is a shaded picnic area by the monument.
Do
Do Chiricahua Mountains
South of Chiricahua National Monument, managed by the Coronado National Forest Service. The area features excellent bird watching and wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as hiking, horseback riding, and camping. Much of the range sustained damage in 2011 as a result of the Horseshoe II wildfire; however many trails have been repaired and the forest is now open to the public. Maps and trail information can be obtained from the Douglas Ranger District Office.
Do Camp Rucker (Fort Rucker)
A former US Army post which was abandoned in 1890. A number of buildings are still standing, and access from the adjacent Chiricahua National Forest is permitted. The very popular Camp Rucker Campground is nearby (see listings below).
Do Southwest Research Station
The Chiricahua Mountains in particular are excellent for bird watching as well as wildlife viewing, with a number of very rare avian species sighted here. This facility is operated by the American Museum of Natural History, and offers bird watching tours, and accommodation for naturalists and hikers.
Sleep
Lodging
Stay Portal Bunkhouse
Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation, this two-room cabin is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The fully-furnished cabin has electricity and running water, but guests must bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, and other supplies. Non-smoking, pets permitted. The property is maintained by the US Forest Service, and reservations can be made online.
Stay Portal CCC House
Built in the 1930s, this five-room cabin is one of the few remaining structures from the Cave Creek CCC Camp. The fully-furnished cabin has electricity and running water, but guests must bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, and other supplies. Non-smoking, pets permitted. The property is maintained by the US Forest Service, and reservations can be made online.
Camping
Backcountry
Nearby
Chiricahua National Monument
Park · 3 listings · 11 mi away
Rodeo
City / town · 9 listings · 15 mi away
Douglas
City / town · 18 listings · 37 mi away
Dragoon Mountains
Rural area · 11 listings · 41 mi away
Willcox
City / town · 25 listings · 41 mi away
Bisbee
City / town · 41 listings · 47 mi away
Tombstone
City / town · 16 listings · 47 mi away
Lordsburg
City / town · 8 listings · 49 mi away
My experience
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